The National Geographic Magazine
If Fish Could Talk, They'd Say, "Give Jack Prodanovich a Wide Berth!"
Off La Jolla, this king-sized black sea bass, or jewfish, was "knocked out" by a thrust of
spear. Prodanovich then mounted his stunned prize and paddled it ashore. Beached, the fish
struggled furiously until subdued. Its captor's spear has a detachable point with a long line for
the goggler's
revived and
playing fish.
under water in half a minute! And even a
dub wearing them can outdistance an Olym
pic champion."
These men who "live with fish" form a
fast-growing group. Ten years ago the sport
was virtually unknown, save to a few hardy
individuals who made their own crude goggles
and broomstick spears and explored the surf
alone. By 1949 over 8,000 enthusiasts had
joined the ranks in southern California alone,
with other groups forming on Gulf and At
lantic coasts and in inland waters.
One manufacturer has shipped goggles
throughout the world, and during the war
sent them to RAF pilots in Egypt, to Pan
American Airways employees in the Pacific
islands, and to goggle enthusiasts in the East
Indies. I saw members of our armed forces
using California-made goggles on Waikiki
Beach, Honolulu, and on Johnston, Kwajalein,
Eniwetok, and Manus islands in the Pacific.
Most experienced gogglers have their own
favorite fishing holes, secret spots in reef or
surf where granddaddy lobsters lie, or where
abalone or fish are especially large and abun
dant. A good skin diver can keep his family
well fed on his submarine efforts. During
depression times one goggler supported his
family for two years in this fashion.
The Bottom Scratchers Club
Seasoned divers are the eight men compris
ing San Diego's unique Bottom Scratchers
Club. Each is a veteran of several years'
underwater fishing; each has passed rigorous
tests. So difficult are these trials that only
nine men have qualified for membership in
the 15-year history of the group!
As a starter, you must swim alone through
the heavy surf, navigating your way over a
treacherous reef covered with razor-sharp coral
and white with foaming combers.
Later you must dive in 30 feet of water,
bringing up three abalone in one dive. If your
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